Star Wars Battlefront II Announces Multiplayer Beta Details

Star Wars: Battlefront II doesn't launch until Nov. 17, but you won't have to wait quite that long to get your hands on the game. EA has announced plans for a multiplayer beta, giving folks a chance to dive into the fray in a galaxy far, far away this October.

If you're planning on pre-ordering Battlefront II, that'll come with the added bonus of getting you into the upcoming multiplayer beta a bit early. For folks gaming on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One or Origin for PC who plop down their 60 bucks nice and early, the gates to the next Star Wars battle will be swung open on Oct. 4. Everyone else will have to wait a couple of extra days, with the open beta beginning on Oct. 6. The whole shebang will come to a close on October 9, meaning folks will get a solid 3-5 days to experiment with the multiplayer options.

This news went live on the Battlefront II blog recently, where the publisher shared a few additional details about what players can expect out of the upcoming test run.

First up, you'll be heading to the Naboo: Theed map to take part in the Galactic Assault mode. This was the main gameplay featured recently at E3, where players join either the Republic's clone troopers or take control of the Separatist battle droids in a battle surrounding the royal palace. You can also take control of in-game heroes here, so get ready to lay waste to your enemies as some classic goodies and baddies from Star Wars lore.

If fighting in the air is more your speed, then you'll want to check out the Starfighter Assault mode, also available in the beta. Apparently EA plans to reveal more about this mode at Gamescom but, for now, we at least know players will be able to pilot oodles of ships from the various Star Wars films in a dogfight set in the stars.

Don't forget that you'll need to pre-order Battlefront II if you want to get an extra couple of days with the beta. Doing so will also grant you access to a "Yoda's Epic Lightsaber Matersy" Star Card for use in the full game. Some folks are worried that the upgrade system is leaning toward pay-to-win this time around, so hopefully EA will clarify some extra details about that in the coming weeks, too. Otherwise, so long as they're in the game and available, no guilt in grabbing a powerful card alongside a pre-order.

Again, EA plans to be out in full force with Battlefront II at Gamescom this year, so expect to hear all sorts of extra details about the game in the coming weeks. Until then, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. Are you looking to jump in on the beta? Planning on grabbing a pre-order? Give us the details.